System and method for characterizing dragging equipment

An apparatus for characterizing an object protruding beneath a train moving along rails, the apparatus comprising:

• a stationary impact element positioned to extend in a direction approximately orthogonal to a travel direction of the train and extending across the rails, wherein an impact surface of the stationary impact element is oriented at an angle inclined to the travel direction;
• one or more sensors mounted on the stationary impact element in one or more directions that allow each of the one or more sensors to detect horizontal and vertical force components on the stationary impact element when the object impacts the stationary impact element;
• and
• a processor configured to characterize the object based on the horizontal and vertical force components.

A method of characterizing an object protruding under a train traveling along a rail, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more signals indicative of a detected horizontal force component and a detected vertical force component generated by impact of the object with a stationary impact element;
• making a comparison of the detected horizontal and vertical force components with known directional force components of the types of objects expected to impact the stationary impact element;
• characterizing the object based on the detected horizontal and vertical force components;
• and
• implementing a control action based on the comparison.